Saturday, February 25, 2023
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET
Welcome
11:00–11:05 AM ET
Welcome and introduction by Carl Pritzkat, president of BookLife.
Opening Author Keynote:
Leslye Penelope
11:05–11:20 AM ET
Author Leslye Penelope kicks off our programming with a keynote address
that offers valuable insights on storytelling and indie publishing.
Award-Winning Author
Leslye Penelope, who also writes as L. Penelope, is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Her debut novel Song of Blood & Stone was chosen as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. The novel also won the inaugural award for Best Self-Published Fiction from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
She’s the author most recently of The Monsters We Defy and Savage City. She’s also an award-winning independent filmmaker and co-founder of a literary magazine. Leslye is an alumna of VONA/Voices and Hurston/Wright Writers Workshop. Her podcast, My Imaginary Friends, is a weekly journal of her publishing life, perfect for readers and writers alike.
Prior to her writing success, she studied film production and computer science at Howard University, which led to a master’s degree in multimedia and a career in website development.
The Business Savvy Author:
Mastering Marketing Strategies
to Find and Maintain Readers
11:20 AM–11:55 AM ET
Self-publishing authors need to be more than great writers: they need to be
entrepreneurs. Join us for a panel devoted to forging your path as an indie
author to find the readers who will love and value your work.
CEO, Wolfpack Publishing
CEO & Founding Publisher, Publish Your Gift®
Author
Sassafras Lowrey is the author of eleven fiction and nonfiction books. Sassafras’ books have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association, the Lambda Literary Foundation, and the Dog Writers Association of America. The film rights to Sassafras’ Lambda Literary Finalists novel, Lost Boi, were recently acquired.
Sassafras is a full-time freelance writer, and certified professional dog trainer whose work has appeared in leading publications including The New York Times, Catapult, WIRED, Publishers Weekly, The Rumpus, Apartment Therapy, and with The American Kennel Club. SassafrasLowrey.com
MODERATOR
Author
Reading Books by Their Covers:
Designers Share Their Tips
12:00–12:20 PM ET
During this prerecorded presentation, graphic designers share their tips
on how to make a book cover pop. The panelists will take a look at
covers submitted by attendees and provide their suggestions
for possible redesign options.
Once registered, attendees will be sent a form to
submit their covers should they choose to participate.
Author and Designer, Melissa Williams Design
Michelle Argyle has been designing for over 20 years and creates covers and other design materials, as well as typesetting and formatting. In 2010 she created Melissa Williams Design for a small publisher. Since then, she has taken on many other clients. She finds no greater joy than transforming someone’s idea into a piece of marketable art. She believes details are everything. Michelle also enjoys writing and has 10 publications to her name. MW Design is now owned by MDA Books, which is the name under which Michelle publishes her fiction. Michelle lives in the Rocky Mountains where she finds every excuse possible to go hiking and be outdoors.
Designer and Editor
Distribution Tool Kit:
Getting Your Books to Readers
12:25–12:50 PM ET
Authors, publishing professionals, and audiobook experts discuss
what you need to know about distributing your book, whether
it’s making it into brick-and-mortar stores and libraries,
ranking on Amazon, or selling on other online platforms.
President, BookBaby
Manager & Publishing Director, Aurora Publicity; Co-owner, LitRing
President, LMBPN Worldwide Publishing; CEO, HowToPublishBooks.com
Robin Cutler is the President of LMBPN Worldwide Publishing as well as the CEO of HowToPublishBooks.com, a consulting service for indie authors and publishers. Robin both created and led the development of IngramSpark, an international, award-winning self-publishing platform from 2013–2020. She has published over 1000 books as Assistant Director at USC Press, and CEO and founder of her trade imprint, Summerhouse Press. Robin also worked for Amazon for six years.
Robin served on the board of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) from 2014–2018. She speaks frequently at writing and publishing conferences worldwide including Book Expo America, Frankfurt Bookfair, London Bookfair, SFWC, and NINC to name a few. Robin has in-depth knowledge of indie, academic, and trade publishing and is an expert in content creation, distribution, on-demand models, and author strategies. She is currently hard at work developing a screenplay. Follow Robin on Twitter @rcutlerbookpub. or contact her at robin.cutler@lmbpn.com.
Break
12:50–1:00 PM ET
Breakout Sessions
1:00–1:30 PM ET
In this session choose between four panel discussions:
Copyright: What Indie Authors Need to Know, The Audiobook Option,
Uplifting Marginalized Voices: Writing Outside Your Own Experience,
and Reviews & Contests: What’s in It for You.
| Can you quote song lyrics in your book? What happens when your book cover is flagged on Amazon due to possible copyright infringement? Experts weigh in on fair use, copyright laws, and how to protect your work. | ||
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Alesha BrownCEO and Founding Publisher, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services® Alesha Brown is the Founder & CEO of Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®, a hybrid publisher devoted to helping authors find their voice, monetize their expertise, and create profitable author platforms. Alesha’s work led to her receiving the 2019 Inside Business’ Entrepreneurial Excellence award. Her expertise has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Authority Magazine, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and iHeartRadio, just to name a few. Alesha has served as a celebrity interviewer and managing editor for various podcasts and magazines before creating her own, Published! Magazine™, the premier magazine devoted to current and aspiring authors, book lovers, and the companies that promote them. A best-selling author, copywriter, and magazine editor-in-chief, Alesha currently serves on the DEI Committee and Board of Directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), is an IBPA member roundtable facilitator, and has been a conference speaker for IBPA’s Publishing University Conference. |
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Stacy GrossmanLawyer Specializing in Copyright Law After years working in big law and as in-house counsel, Stacy Grossman founded her firm in 2014 to provide clients with clear, judicious, and business-minded legal advice. Today her firm represents clients of all sizes, across multiple industries, specializing in trademark, copyright, publishing, First Amendment, and related issues. Stacy is skilled at litigation avoidance, counseling clients about best practices, and negotiating the amicable resolution of disputes. She is recognized each year as a leading trademark lawyer by the World Trademark Review, is an editor of INTA’s The Trademark Reporter, and is a former board member of Women’s Media Group. Her firm is certified by WBENC as a woman-owned business. |
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Juliana LeamenAuthor; Board-Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner Juliana Leamen is a Board Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, author, and podcaster. She is on a mission to provide a new model of care for weight loss in midlife–what she calls weight release–moving away from the ‘diet mindset’ and helping women find confidence from within. With over 11 years of experience, she is passionate about helping women over 40 make the shift towards weight release so they can balance their hormones naturally, release excess weight, and fall in love with their bodies again. |
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MODERATORTim McConneheyCEO, Izzard Ink Publishing Tim McConnehey has developed Izzard Ink from a spark of an idea into one of the fastest growing media companies in the U.S., selling over one million books and developing tech solutions that are set to reshape the industry. Recognized as an international publishing expert, Tim has been featured in Forbes, Inc., MarketWatch, Parade, Fox News Radio, Dow Jones, Medium, and other national and international publications. McConnehey draws on a deep background in business, including extensive experience in fintech, business management, and business development, as well as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Tim will graduate from Harvard Business School in April with a certificate in the 26-month Owners/President Management program. |
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| Audiobook sales have skyrocketed over the last 10 years and are increasingly becoming the go-to option for readers who multitask. Learn all about the process of publishing your work in audiobook format. | ||
 | Ryan DinglerProduct Manager, Google Play Books Ryan Dingler is a Product Manager at Google Play Books. He oversees all publisher products as well as select Play Books consumer experiences. Prior to working at Google, Ryan was a Product Manager at Visa. He is based in San Francisco. | |
 | Jim FoleyPresident, BookBaby Jim Foley serves as President of BookBaby. Over a 20+ year career working in the independent music and publishing industries, Jim and his teams have helped artists and authors bring their work to the marketplace. As a lifelong musician and writer, Jim has deep knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist for creators as they navigate their publishing careers. Jim and his pop rocking band Canadian Invasion have been making popular indie records since forming the band as teenagers in ’90s. | |
 | Ron FormicaDirector of Acquisitions, Tantor Media Ron Formica is the Director of Acquisitions at Tantor Media, a division of Recorded Books. He has been with Tantor since 2005. Prior to working at Tantor, Ron worked as a literary agent for New England Publishing Associates, where he specialized in representing nonfiction history and business titles. He has also worked as an editor and writer, editing Famous First Facts About the Environment (H.W. Wilson, 2002) and contributing to The Chronology of American Literature (Houghton Mifflin, 2003), The Encyclopedia of World Exploration (John Wiley & Sons, 2003) and Facts About China (H.W. Wilson, 2002). | |
 | MODERATOR Tim SleeAuthor; BookLife Columnist Tim Slee‘s first success was as winner of the Allen & Unwin INK short fiction prize. In 2016 he started independently publishing long fiction, and was the winner in February 2017 of the Grand Prize in the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize in Fiction. In 2018 he received the Banjo Prize for unpublished Australian fiction, and his manuscript Taking Tom Murray Home was published in August 2019 by HarperCollins Australia. It was released by HarperCollins UK in February 2022 and with HarperCollins USA in July 2022. He writes future fiction under the pen name FX Holden. |  |
| The indie publishing world offers opportunities for more and more authors to have their voices heard. On this panel, speakers will discuss the value of diverse perspectives and how to craft genuine characters from under-represented or marginalized communities. | ||
 | Sossity ChiricuzioAuthor Sossity Chiricuzio (she/they) is a fat femme outlaw poet, a working class crip storyteller. What her friends’ parents often referred to as a bad influence, and possibly still do. A Lambda Fellow, sensitivity reader, and author of the memoir Honey & Vinegar: Recipe for an Outlaw, they write as activism, connection, and survival. Her work can be found in a variety of publications including Salty, Rooted in Rights, Library Journal, Rogue Agent, and Stirring, as well as anthologies like The Remedy: Queer and Trans Voices on Health and Health Care, and Not My President. Find out more online at sossitywrites.com. |  |
 | Elliott DeLineAuthor Elliott DeLine (born 1988) is a writer from Syracuse, NY. He is the author of the novel Refuse, the novella I Know Very Well How I Got My Name, the memoir Show Trans, and an essay collection, No Poster Boy. In June 2021, he released his first poetry chapbook, Lessons Learned from Chickens. In January 2023, he began publishing his serial novel, The Stars Below, under the name Dean Angeles. His essays and excerpts have been featured in The New York Times, The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard, Original Plumbing Magazine and The Advocate. He currently lives in upstate New York on a farmstead with his partner, family, and many animals. |  |
 | Renee HarlestonFounder, Writing Diversely Renee Harleston is a sensitivity reader and founder of Writing Diversely. Prior to becoming a sensitivity reader, Renee followed her fascination with American history and culture, which led her to work in museum education and history nonprofits. Renee received her M.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Hunter College and her B.A. in Marketing at Pace University. She lives in Brooklyn by way of Florida and Virginia with her cat Sunday Blue. She’s fond of candy, imperfect women, and magic. | |
 | MODERATOR Tiffany RichardsonFounder, Big Black Chapters Tiffany Richardson‘s writing career has spanned over 15 years. She’s the author of one novel and three poetry collections. She’s well-versed in poetry, song writing, and all genres of literature. When she is not working on her own novels, she’s running Big Black Chapters, a movement and website started to promote and mentor indie authors of color, in partnership with her lifelong best friend. Tiffany hails from Houston, Texas, with roots in Louisiana. | |
| Having your book reviewed or entered into contests is essential to its success. Hear from editors and authors on how to submit your work for maximum exposure, as well as about pitfalls to avoid along the way. | ||
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Kinley BryanAuthor; 2022 Selfies Winner Kinley Bryan is a historical fiction author whose debut novel, Sisters of the Sweetwater Fury, won the 2022 U.S. Selfies Award for Adult Fiction. Set during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, the novel has been lauded as a “superb character-driven adventure” (Publishers Weekly). Prior to becoming an author, Kinley applied her love of writing to the world of corporate communications. She lives with her husband and children in South Carolina, where she is working on her next novel. |
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Julie MathisonAuthor; Founder, Starr Creek Press Julie Mathison is the founder of Starr Creek Press and the award-winning author of four novels for young people. Collectively, her books have been the recipient of the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Best Middle Grade Reader, the First Horizon Award for debut books, the Best Book Award for Children’s Fiction from American Book Fest, and the Writer’s Digest Best eBook Award for YA Fiction. She is also a two-time BookLife Prize Semifinalist. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon where she writes and speaks about the interface between traditional and independent publishing and the role of quality self-published works in maintaining a diverse and robust literary ecosystem. Visit her at juliemathison.com. Find her on Twitter @CreekStarr. |
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Teymour ShahabiAuthor Teymour Shahabi was born in Paris of Persian parents and moved to the United States to study literature and mathematics at Harvard University. He is the award-winning author of the young adult mystery novels The Secret Billionaire and Someone in the Walls as well as the contemporary romance novel Stranger in Love. He is currently working on his fourth novel, a story of forbidden love set in present-day Iran. He lives in New York City. |
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Landis WadeAuthor; Founder, Charlotte Readers Podcast Landis Wade writes light-hearted legal thrillers and mysteries with a historical or holiday touch (cozies with a bit of a thrill). He is a recovering trial lawyer (after 35 years of law practice) and founder of Charlotte Readers Podcast (where he has conducted 500+ author interviews). His third book, The Christmas Redemption, won the Holiday category of the 12th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards and his recent novel, Deadly Declarations, won more than five awards including winner in the 2022 American Fiction Awards in the Cozy Mystery category. He compiled The Write Quotes series, eight books that release monthly beginning March 1, 2023. Book one, The Write Quotes: The Writing Life, features inspirational and practical quotes from 500+ interviews with hard-working, award-winning, and New York Times bestselling authors in more than 33 U.S. states and five countries. Visit his podcast website charlottereaderspodcast.com and his author website landiswade.com. |
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MODERATOR
Alan ScherstuhlReviews Editor, BookLife Alan Scherstuhl is a Reviews Editor for BookLife. He’s written and edited for many publications, including The Village Voice, The New York Times, and Scientific American among others. |
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Lunch Break
1:30–2:00 PM ET
Google Play
2:00–2:15 PM ET
Product Manager, Google Play Books
Ryan Dingler is a Product Manager at Google Play Books. He oversees all publisher products as well as select Play Books consumer experiences. Prior to working at Google, Ryan was a Product Manager at Visa. He is based in San Francisco.
How I Do It:
Noted Authors Share Secrets of Success
2:20–2:55 PM ET
With so many books being published each year, it can be overwhelming
for authors looking to find their niche. Accomplished authors and
publishing experts weigh in on how they’ve achieved their success.
Author
Kim Catanzarite is the author of the award-winning Jovian Duology sci-fi thriller series. She is a freelance writer and editor for publishers and independent authors, and she teaches copyediting for Writer’s Digest University. Her Self-Publishing 101 blog discusses the ins and outs of indie life as well as all things writing craft. When she’s not writing or editing, Kim enjoys hiking, drawing, and talking to her cats. She lives on the east coast of the US with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit AuthorKimCatanzarite.com.
Author
Paul Levine is the Amazon number one bestselling author of the “Jake Lassiter and Solomon vs. Lord” series. Levine won the John D. MacDonald Fiction Award and has been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, Shamus, and James Thurber prizes. A former trial lawyer, he also wrote twenty episodes of the CBS military drama JAG and co-created the Supreme Court drama First Monday starring James Garner and Joe Mantegna. The international bestseller To Speak for the Dead was his first novel and introduced linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter. Bum Rap, which brought Lassiter together with Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord, was an Amazon #1 bestseller. His latest book is Early Grave in which an ailing Lassiter sues to establish high school football as so inherently dangerous as to constitute a “public nuisance” that should be abolished. Visit the author’s website at paul-levine.com or his Amazon Author Page and follow him on Twitter.
Author
Kyoko M. is a USA Today bestselling author and a fangirl. She is the author of The Black Parade urban fantasy series and the Of Cinder and Bone science-fiction series. The Black Parade has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly and New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews. Of Cinder and Bone placed in the Top 30 Books in Hugh Howey’s 2021 Self Published Science Fiction Contest. Kyoko M. has appeared as a guest and panelist at such conventions as Geek Girl Con, DragonCon, Blacktasticon, Momocon, JordanCon, ConCarolinas, and MultiverseCon. She is also a contributor to Marvel Comics’ Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda (2021) anthology. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Lit degree from the University of Georgia.
Author
Natalie Wright is the author of seven novels, including the award-winning YA sci-fi series H.A.L.F. Her debut YA novel, Emily’s House, has over 2.1 million reads on Wattpad. Season of the Dragon (Menaris Books, March 2023) is her first adult fantasy novel. Natalie also co-hosts the popular SFF podcast, Tipsy Nerds Book Club, with author guests such as Hugh Howey and Darynda Jones. She’s also a judge in the international short story writing competition, NYC Midnight. Natalie appears frequently as a guest and panelist at book festivals and conventions, including the Nebula convention. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two ornery cats and frequently visits her college-age son in New York City.
Michael Anderle began writing full time at the age of 45, and since then he has sold over 4 million books worldwide either under his name alone or as a collaborator with other well-known authors. He is a Dragon Award finalist as co-author with Craig Martelle for the Best Military Science Fiction novel of the year for 2018. Anderle has also established a publishing company called LMBPN® (for London, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, New York) which has authors from the USA, Australia, England, Canada, and various other countries around the world. Currently, Anderle resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pitch Perfect:
Get Expert Insight on Real Pitches
Submitted by Attendees
3:00–3:20 PM ET
During this prerecorded presentation, you’ll learn all about book pitches,
why they matter, and how to create a winning pitch for your next project.
Pitches by attendees will be presented during this session.
Submit your pitch for a chance to have it critiqued!
Once registered, attendees will be sent a form to submit
their pitches should they choose to participate.
Editor, The Hot Sheet
Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, which was named 2020 Media Outlet of the Year by Digital Book World. Learn more at JaneFriedman.com.
Genre Sessions
3:25–4:05 PM ET
Six break-out sessions offer a deeper discussion on writing and publishing
within a specific genre or category. Choose from the following sessions:
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Carmen AmatoAuthor, Detective Emilia Cruz Series Carmen Amato turns lessons from a 30-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency into fiction loaded with drama and deception. Beginning with Cliff Diver, the Detective Emilia Cruz series pits the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico’s cartels, corruption, and social inequality. Optioned for television, it’s a two-time winner of the Outstanding Series award from CrimeMasters of America. Her vibrant Galliano Club historical series was inspired by her grandfather, a deputy sheriff during Prohibition. From upstate New York, Carmen holds degrees from Le Moyne College and the University of Virginia, plus certificates from Institut Catholique, Paris, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal. Carmen’s popular Mystery Ahead newsletter unlocks her top secrets with exclusive content and reviews. See more at carmenamato.net. |
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Gary McAvoyAuthor Gary McAvoy is author of many books including his bestselling thriller novel series, The Magdalene Chronicles, and his newest series, Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers. His nonfiction work, And Every Word Is True, has been hailed as a sequel to Truman Capote’s landmark book In Cold Blood. Gary is also a professional collector of ancient manuscripts and historical documents, much of which informs his writing projects. From 1999 to 2005, Gary worked closely with primatologist and animal ethicist Dr. Jane Goodall, serving as Seattle Base Camp Chair for the Jane Goodall Institute, managing Northwest fundraising efforts in support of the Institute’s global initiatives. In 2003 Gary convinced Jane she should speak to global food issues, and in 2005 they co-authored Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating (Warner Books). |
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Dan PadavonaAuthor Dan Padavona is the author of the Amazon top-selling Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove thriller series. He has published 26 dark crime and psychological thrillers. Between July 2021 and July 2022, he amassed $500,000 in Amazon sales. Besides writing, Dan teaches authors how to market their books through his courses and articles at: danpadavona.com/category/advice-for-writers/ |
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MODERATOR
Claire KirchMidwest Correspondent, Publishers Weekly Claire Kirch is celebrating her 20th anniversary as Publishers Weekly‘s Midwest correspondent, shining a spotlight on the doings of the amazing publishers, booksellers, authors, and other industry folk who live and work in the Heartland. Besides regional reporting, Claire has written on a variety of topics for PW, including a feature on how people with disabilities navigate industry events and another on Indigenous bookstores. Most recently, she edited PW‘s Winter Institute 2023 Preview supplement. Before working for PW, Claire spent five years working as marketing/publicity manager for Spinsters Ink, whose publisher at the time, Joan Drury, was also the author of award-winning feminist mysteries–which Claire promoted with great zeal. A native of California, Claire lives in a 112-year-old house filled with books (many of them mysteries and thrillers) in Duluth, Minn. with her husband, a history professor, and their two tuxedo cats. |
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 | Jon CohnAuthor Jon Cohn is a horror novelist and professional board game designer based out of San Diego. He frequently tries to find ways to blend his two passions by creating narrative-focused horror games like The Grind House, and Ghostbusters: Blackout. While The Island Mother is his debut novel, he has a number of short stories published as well. The Three Currencies of Doctor Kulick was published in Bellevue Literary Review as a finalist in their 2022 Short Fiction competition. His upcoming novel Slashtag is a horror-satire that will be released Spring 2023. You can stay caught up with upcoming releases by following @joncohnauthor on Instagram and Twitter. If you would like to find content from Jon that does not feature his dogs Gizmo and Luna, you can sign up for the newsletter at joncohnauthor.com. |  |
 | Lydia M. HawkeAuthor Lydia M. Hawke is a Canadian author of supernatural thrillers and paranormal women’s fiction (urban fantasy). She also writes romances under the name Linda Poitevin. To date, she has published a total of ten novels and three novellas. Her books have twice placed in the Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize quarterfinals and once in the semifinals. She has also twice received honorable mention in the Reader’s Favorite Awards. Lydia lives near Ottawa, Canada’s capital, and is a proud crone, wife, mom, grandma, friend, and lifelong learner. In her other-than-writing-life, she is also an avid gardener, walker, keeper of many pets, and is forever starting new projects…some of which she even finishes. |  |
 | Katrina SchroederSci-fi/Fantasy Editor; Ghostwriter With over a decade of editing experience, Katrina Schroeder is a highly qualified book coach, editor, and ghostwriter. She specializes in speculative fiction but also works with any genre of fiction and nonfiction. Katrina is a member of both ACES and EFA, holds a Certificate in Editing from ACES/Poynter, and has taken the Developmental Editing for Fiction course through the Editorial Arts Academy. She’s currently finishing her Book Coach Certification through Author Accelerator, although she’s been coaching with a publisher for over a year. Katrina is an editor with Luna Station Quarterly, a print and digital speculative fiction magazine that publishes short fiction written by women-identified writers. She’s also a writer for FoxFireFiction, a tabletop RPG, and has ghostwritten several fantasy novels. | |
MODERATOR Phoebe CramerReviews Editor, BookLife Phoebe Cramer is a reviews editor at Publishers Weekly, where she handles coverage of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and romance titles. She can be found on Twitter @PhoebeLCramer. | ||
 | Kay CoveAuthor Kay Cove writes contemporary romance novels that are sweet and steamy. She loves strong and witty heroines that aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with an alpha hero. Her favorite writing weapon of choice? Banter. Born in Colorado Springs, Kay graduated with a degree in human resource management and spent a few years as an HR professional. Nowadays, she spends her time at home with her two young sons and husband, traveling wherever the military takes them. When she’s not binge-watching The Big Bang Theory or true crime documentaries, she likes to get lost in writing, building, and testing relationships of all types–romantic, friendship, and family. |  |
 | Stacy GoldAuthor An award-winning adventure romance author, Stacy Gold would rather be in the middle of nowhere than almost anywhere else. She’s run more than 50 rivers in three countries, been heli-dropped into remote ski huts, worked as a ranger for the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, and spent years as a commercial river guide and whitewater kayak instructor. Her last “real job” was Communications Director for a state-wide mountain biking non-profit. When she’s not busy kayaking, skiing, biking, or hiking with her husband and happy dogs, she writes about independent, badass women finding love and adventure in the great outdoors. Her latest release, Wild at Heart, was a 2022 BookLife Prize finalist. To see more visit stacygold.com |  |
 | Norian LoveAuthor Norian Love is a best-selling author, screen-writer, songwriter, and poet, whose character-rich storytelling and creative world building is swiftly setting him apart as one of the top writers in the black romance genre. His latest release, Autumn: A Love Story, was the recipient of the Association of Black Romance Writers 2021 Book of the Year Award. Autumn’s complementary poetic journal, Blue: Love Letters to Fatima, also became a number one best-seller, giving him the distinction of having number one releases across multiple genres. He was a finalist for the 2021 Black Authors Rock, Author of the Year Award, as well as a finalist for the 2022 Romance Slam Jam Best Erotic Romance EMMA Award. He is completing the highly-anticipated Money, Power, & Sex series and serves as head screenwriter for the University of Houston HIV Awareness campaign. | |
| MODERATORKilby BladesAuthor Kilby Blades is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her debut novel, Snapdragon, was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize semi-finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. She’s been lauded by critics for “easing feminism and equality into her novels” (IndieReader) and “writing characters who complement each other like a fine wine does a good meal” (Publishers Weekly). When she’s not writing her own novels, she teaches craft and the business of writing at the Berkeley Writing Salon. Kilby is an oenophile, a cinephile and, most of all, a glutton for a good story. | |
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W. B. GarveyAuthor W. B. Garvey is a relative of the famous pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey. Born in Los Angeles to Jamaican immigrants, Garvey attended high school in Kingston where he continued his childhood career as a concert pianist and violinist, performing live and on television. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Garvey moved to New York City where, in addition to his work as a recording musician, he appeared as violin soloist with renowned symphony orchestras and as recitalist in major U.S. concert halls. Learning of the heroic yet unheralded contribution of black West Indians to the building of the Panama Canal, Garvey was inspired to write his first historical novel, Panama Fever: Digging Down Gold Mountain, followed by the award-winning White Gold. Garvey’s most recent work, the fictionalized memoir Independence Blues earned wide acclaim. |
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Lilianne MilgromAuthor Lilianne Milgrom is a Paris-born, internationally acclaimed artist and author residing in the US. She holds two degrees from Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia. Her debut historical fiction L’Origine: The Secret Life of the World’s Most Erotic Masterpiece is the recipient of six literary awards. Aside from her blog, Lilianne’s articles have appeared in publications such as HuffPost, Ceramics Art and Perception, Funds for Writers, Daily Art Magazine and France Magazine. Her essays have been included in two anthologies. She is currently working on her second novel. She was recently selected as a semifinalist to appear on the TV pilot of America’s Next Great Author. Visit liliannemilgromauthor.com or email her at liliannemilgrom@gmail.com |
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Michelle ReneAuthor Michelle Rene is a creative advocate and multiple award-winning author of historical and speculative fiction. She’s been writing for over 17 years and navigating the treacherous waters of publishing for the last ten. Michelle would like to say she’s seen it all, but that would be tempting fate. Maud’s Circus, Tattoo, and Hour Glass are just a few of her award-winning indie titles. All three have had the honor of gracing Publisher Weekly‘s review spotlight. Her middle grade debut, Brick Dust and Bones, is set to release in July 2023 with Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan Kids) under the pseudonym, M.R. Fournet. When not writing, she is a professional artist, belly dancer, and autism mom. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her son, husband, and two ungrateful cats. |
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Morgan VegaAuthor Morgan Vega is the author of Sleeping Around. She earned her BA in English from Bridgewater College and MA in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication from James Madison University. She worked in higher education for seven years before transitioning into the publishing industry. Morgan interned at Kore Press, worked as an editor at Scarsdale Publishing, and now is the Marketing and Sales Associate at No Starch Press. Morgan grew up and lives in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and when she’s not writing, she does freelance editing and talks about books on social media. Visit her website morganvega.com and follow her on social media @MorganVegaWrite. |
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MODERATOR
Karen ClarkFreelance Writer; Editor Karen Clark is a freelance writer, Publishers Weekly contributor, and editor who received her MFA from the City College of New York after owning an antiquarian bookshop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side for over a decade. |
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Laura DavisAuthor Laura Davis is the author of The Burning Light of Two Stars, The Courage to Heal, and five other groundbreaking books. In addition to writing books that inspire, the work of Laura’s heart is to teach. For more than twenty years, she’s helped people find their voices, tell their stories, and hone their craft. Laura has been published in Publishers Weekly, Writer’s Digest, CrimeReads, Brevity, and The New York Times, featured in the Los Angeles Review of Books, and on QWERTY, Write-Minded, The Only One in the Room, and dozens of other podcasts. She’s a featured speaker for The National Association of Memoir Writers and a popular craft teacher at The San Miguel Writer’s Conference. She’ll be taking a lucky group of writers to Tuscany this spring and you can join her. Learn about her online classes and workshops and read the first five chapters of her memoir at lauradavis.net. |
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Nadia DavisAuthor Nadia Davis is the mother of three sons, a writer, attorney, kundalini yoga teacher and former executive director and elected official. She graduated from U.C.L.A. with a degree in Sociology and Specialization in Juvenile Justice and Loyola Law School with a Doctorate. She has received numerous state and national awards for her work improving the lives of others, including the John F. Kennedy Jr. Public Service Award, National Womens’ Political Caucus Woman of the Year, and Hispanic Woman of the Year L.U.L.A.C. Her journey of recovery from childhood and adult trauma, a near death car accident, chronic pain, public shaming, addiction and mental health is an inspiration to many and anyone seeking a way out of darkness into connection with their infinite true selves and our home within. Nadia lives in Southern California happily co-parenting her three sons. |
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Oanh Ngo UsadiAuthor Oanh Ngo Usadi is the author of the memoir Of Monkey Bridges and Bánh Mì Sandwiches: from Sài Gòn to Texas, a BookLife Prize memoir finalist in 2018 and a Wall Street Journal bestseller in 2020. Born in Saigon, Oanh grew up in the countryside where her family was exiled after the war. In the mid-1980s, her family escaped Vietnam as boat refugees and settled in a small Texas town. After working in consulting and having her own personal chef business, Oanh turned to writing. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Forbes, and elsewhere. She has been featured in several podcasts including The Moth Mainstage, Voice of America, Bayoulands Talks, and the Bookmonger. Oanh’s latest book about her life as an American expat in Singapore will come out in 2023. You can follow Oanh on Facebook, Twitter and OandOPress.com. |
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MODERATOR
Brooke WarnerPublisher, She Writes Press and SparkPress Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress, president of Warner Coaching Inc., and author of Write On, Sisters!, Green-light Your Book, What’s Your Book?, and three books on memoir. Brooke is a TEDx speaker, weekly podcaster (of Write-minded with co-host Grant Faulkner of NaNoWriMo), and the former Executive Editor of Seal Press. |
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 | Aubre AndrusAuthor Aubre Andrus is the award-winning children’s book author of ‘The Look Up’ series, an award-winning biography series featuring real women in S.T.E.A.M. careers. She also has written dozens of books for National Geographic, Lonely Planet, American Girl, Disney, Scholastic, and young YouTube stars. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughters. Head to aubreandrus.com to learn more about virtual school visits or find her on social media @aubreandrus. |  |
 | Rosston MeyerPublisher Rosston Meyer is a designer, paper engineer, and publisher of art pop-up books, cards, and prints through his company, Poposition Press. He is one of just a handful people in the world self-publishing pop-up books and one of the only publishers focusing on pop-ups for adults. Every project that Rosston works on is a collaboration with artists, engineers, and other creatives. Since 2013, Rosston has worked with a wide range of artists from street and comic artists like Junko Mizuno and Mike Giant to household names like Andy Warhol. Rosston is on the board of The Movable Book Society, an organization that provides a forum for collectors and makers of pop-up and movable books. He lives in Colorado with his wife, two boys, and their cat, Clawdia. |  |
 | Brian ParkerPublisher, Believe in Wonder Publishing Brian and Josie Parker live in Beaverton, Oregon and are the owners of Believe In Wonder Publishing. Brian’s life and work is devoted to sharing imagination and creativity with young minds and inspiring a new generation of dreamers. Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He spends his days working with the family creating new and amazing stories. |  |
 | MODERATOR Thomishia BookerFounder, Hey Carter! Books Thomishia Booker launched Hey Carter! Books after being disappointed in the lack of representation of Black boys in children’s books. Her brand and books are inspired by her son, Carter, and focused on building self-identity in young Black boys. Her vision is to curate a series filled with “happy Black children loving their happy Black Lives!” Recently, Thomishia’s book, Brown Boy Joy, was featured in the Netflix original series, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. She was the only indie author among the cast of celebrities and New York Times bestselling authors, Jacqueline Woodson and Derrick Barnes. Her book, chosen for Bookmarks using a social justice education framework, has received the endorsement of the Black Caucus American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. Thomishia is a member of Building Leaders and Activists with Collective Knowledge, a group of Black authors in the Bay Area working to decolonize educational spaces. She tells stories of difficult lessons learned, self-doubt, and connecting with her community. Apart from her literary life, Thomishia is a licensed therapist and works full time as a healthcare administrator. | |
All Writing is Rewriting:
You’ve Got a Great Draft. Now What?
4:05–4:35 PM ET
Writing a great book is just the beginning. Editors, writers, and publishing
professionals offer advice to debut writers who are sprucing up their
manuscripts and just embarking on their publishing journeys.
Editor
Editor; Author Platform Coach
Award-Winning Author
Ask the Experts Anything
4:40–5:30 PM ET
Our final session of the day is your chance to get those burning
questions answered. Come prepared to ask our panel of industry
veterans any lingering questions you might have about writing,
marketing, distribution, social media, and more.
MODERATOR
Editor, BookLife
Matia Query is a freelance writer and the editor of BookLife, the indie author wing of Publishers Weekly. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.
